1906

The original site on Western and Franklin Avenue of the Sisters of the Most Holy and Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary novitiate, which later became the Immaculate Heart High School & Middle School and the Immaculate Heart College.

Los Angeles, California

The Immaculate Heart Community through the Years

  • 1848:  In Olot, Spain, Father Joaquin Masmitjá founded a religious order for women, the Daughters of the Most Holy and Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM).

  • 1871:  At the request of Bishop Thaddeus Amat y Brusi of California, ten IHM Sisters arrived from Spain in Gilroy and San Juan Bautista, California.

  • 1886:  Several IHM Sisters moved to Los Angeles to open Saint Vibiana Cathedral School.

  • 1906:  Immaculate Heart Motherhouse and Immaculate Heart High School were established in Los Angeles.

  • 1916:  Immaculate Heart College was chartered in Los Angeles as the first standard Catholic college for women in Southern California.

  • 1924:  IHM Sisters in California separated from Spain and founded a new order.

  • 1943:  Immaculate Heart Novitiate was established in Montecito, California.

  • 1955:  La Casa de Maria Retreat Center, located on the property in Montecito, was opened for married couples’ retreats.

  • 1965:  The IHM religious community inaugurated a renewal program in accordance with the directives of Vatican II, including wearing contemporary clothing instead of habits (outer dress traditionally worn by Sisters) as each Sister chose, praying together when and where the Sisters could assemble, improving the educational credentials of Sisters who taught in the community’s schools, and teaching smaller classes of students.

  • 1967:  The IHM Sisters were ordered by Cardinal James Francis McIntyre to end their renewal innovations, or withdraw from teaching in all Los Angeles Archdiocese schools.

  • 1969: (May):  The IHM Sisters were told by representatives of the Vatican that they could not remain Sisters unless they agreed to return to wearing habits and other stipulations concerning life, ministry, and worship made by the Vatican.

  • 1969: (December):  327 IHM Sisters, the majority out of 560 Sisters, decided to ask to be released from their vows.

  • 1970: (March 28):  The new lay Immaculate Heart Community was founded by 315 of the former IHM Sisters, no longer under the control of the Los Angeles Archdiocese.

  • 1974:  The ecumenical Center for Spiritual Renewal opened on the La Casa de Maria grounds in Montecito.

  • 1980:  An apartment complex, the Kenmore Residence, was purchased for elderly Community members wishing to live together.

  • 1984:  Immaculate Heart College Center opened as the first national program for Feminist Spirituality conferring advanced degrees.

  • 1992:  Casa Esperanza, an outreach and immigrant support center, was founded in Panorama City, California focusing on acculturation experience and gang prevention.

  • 1995:  The Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of the Immaculate Heart Community was celebrated.

  • 1995:  The Corita Art Center was established in Los Angeles.

  • 1996:  Alexandria House was founded as a collaborative program providing supportive housing for women and children.

  • 1998:  The 150th Anniversary of the Spanish foundation of the IHM order took place.

  • 2003:  Housing Works was founded to ensure housing as a basic human right for homeless people seeking permanent housing in Los Angeles.

  • 2007:  The Findings art and community center was founded in San Pedro, California.

  • 2010:  The Fortieth Anniversary of the Immaculate Heart Community was celebrated.

  • 2016:  IHC established three commissions to focus on collaborative work: Commission for Justice for Women, Environmental Commission, and Commission on Justice for Immigrants, Refugees, and Indigenous People.

  • 2020:  The Fiftieth Anniversary of the Immaculate Heart Community of California was delayed for celebration due to the 2020 pandemic. Seizing a new opportunity for the Community, all programs transferred online.